"That furious lesbian": the story of Mercedes de Acosta
2004; Association of College and Research Libraries; Volume: 41; Issue: 05 Linguagem: Inglês
10.5860/choice.41-2647a
ISSN1943-5975
Autores Tópico(s)Latin American and Latino Studies
ResumoIn this first book-length biography of Mercedes de Acosta, theatre historian Robert A. adroitly mines lost archival materials and mixes his own interviews with de Acosta s intimates to correct established myths and at last construct an accurate, detailed, and vibrant portrait of the flamboyantly uninhibited early-twentieth-century author, poet, and playwright. Born to wealthy Spanish immigrants, Mercedes de Acosta (18931968) lived opulence and traveled the same social circles as the Astors and Vanderbilts. Introduced to the New York theater scene at an early age, her dual loves of performance and of women informed every aspect of her life thereafter. Alice B. Toklas s observation, Say what you will about Mercedes, she s had the most important women the twentieth century, was well justified, as her romantic conquests included such internationally renowned beauties as Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Isadora Duncan, and Eva Le Gallienne as well as Alla Nazimova, Tamara Karsavina, Pola Negri, and Ona Munson. More than a record of her personal life and infamous romances, this account offers the first analysis of the complete oeuvre of de Acosta s literary works, including three volumes of poetry, two novels, two film scripts, and a dozen plays. Although only two of her plays were ever published during her lifetime, four of them were produced, featuring such stage luminaries as John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, and Eva Le Gallienne. Critics praised her first volume of poetry, Moods, in 1919 and predicted her rise to literary fame, but the love of other women that fueled her writing limited her opportunities to fulfill this destiny. Failing to achieve any lasting fame, she died relative poverty at the age of seventy-five. De Acosta lived her desires publicly with verve and vigor at a time when few others would dare, and for that, she paid the price of marginalized obscurity. Until now. With That Furious Lesbian Schanke at last establishes Mercedes de Acosta s rightful place as a pioneerand indeed a championin the early struggle for lesbian rights this country.Robert A. has edited a companion to this biography, Women Turmoil: Six Plays by Mercedes de Acosta, also available from Southern Illinois University Press.
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